Number of dengue fever cases hits highest level in eleven years: CDC

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced yesterday that 24 more cases of dengue fever were diagnosed last week, which, together with 61 existing patients in Taiwan since May, reached a record-breaking 11-year high.

The director of the CDC, Liu Ding-ping, said that because there have been thunderstorms recently, stagnant water will often become a sanctuary for mosquito reproduction, therefore the cases of dengue fever increased significantly. Last week 24 more patients from Taiwan and five more people who were infected in other countries were confirmed as having dengue fever, with the majority of patients from Kaoshiung City and one from Chiayi City.

There have been a total of 162 confirmed cases of dengue fever this year, with 87 people infected abroad and 75 in Taiwan. Since May 13 there have been 61 more cases. Statistically speaking, from 2003 to 2014, the number of confirmed cases peaked this summer, according to the CDC.

The CDC warned that as dengue fever is currently at its highest level, people who are experiencing fevers, headaches, eye pain, muscle and joint pains, or any similar symptoms, should seek medical attention immediately.